Fast and Soiled Focaccia is called as such as a result of it bypasses typical bread-making steps however nonetheless delivers an unbelievable outcome – crispy crust, mushy chewy crumb, and take a look at these wonderful bubbles! The key – an excellent excessive 93% hydration dough you simply combine, rise, pour, and bake. Sport changer!
Fast and soiled focaccia is fast however not soiled!
There are lots of fantastic, scientifically good focaccia recipes on the market, and thousands and thousands of conventional Italian ones too.
This isn’t a kind of.
And that’s why I’ve known as it “Fast and Soiled” – as a result of it skips so many steps conventional bread making steps. However there’s nothing soiled about it!
What it’s although is an distinctive focaccia made with a fraction of the trouble. Actually, I believe that is probably the most hands-off bread recipe I’ve ever seen, and I imply that actually. You received’t contact the dough along with your fingers till it’s time to unfold olive oil on high. No kneading, no stretch-and-fold, no stand mixer. Simply combine the dough in a bowl with a spatula, then pour it straight into the pan.
And but …… the result’s unbelievable! That signature olive-oily crispy crust, mushy chewy inside, and wonderful huge bubbles.
Is it pretty much as good as conventional focaccia, made correctly and painstakingly with 3 separate rises with fold-and-turns every time? No. Is it 93% pretty much as good with 30% of the trouble? YES!
The key: extremely excessive 93% hydration dough
The concept for this focaccia got here from the very unfastened dough that’s used within the notorious No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread. The rationale that recipe works so properly is due to the high-hydration dough – 83%, to be precise, whereas typical bread recipes may be as little as 70%.
So I principally took that idea and pushed it even additional for focaccia, considering that as a result of it’s baked in a pan which holds the dough in quite than formed, I might make the dough even wetter which might make the crumb even softer and extra moist, and the dough would show sooner as a result of it’s so unfastened.
Extremely, it labored, so a lot better than I anticipated!! Take a look at the dough, it’s so unfastened, it’s extra like a batter:
What you want for Fast and Soiled Focaccia
All you should make this Fast and Soiled Focaccia is the standard yeast, flour, salt and water, plus olive oil for baking. It at all times amazes me how the identical substances can produce such totally different breads through the use of totally different methods!
No yeast? Use the batter on this Lunchbox Pizza bread as a substitute, see FAQ beneath for instructions.
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Prompt yeast – Additionally known as Fast Rise Yeast, it goes straight into the dough – no must dissolve and make it foamy first! Common dry yeast (“Lively Dry Yeast”) additionally works, you’ll simply must activate it in water first (see recipe notes). Each give the identical outcome!
Tip: Retailer yeast within the fridge to maintain it contemporary.
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Bread flour is finest – It makes focaccia fluffier and chewier because of its larger protein (12%+), which creates extra gluten. Search for packets labelled “bread flour” or “pizza flour”, or if not clear, have a look at the vitamin label to ensure it’s 12% protein (ie 12g or extra per 100g).
Plain flour (all-purpose flour) is underneath 10% protein and works simply positive – it’s not fairly as chewy, the floor is a bit more rustic, the crumb is rather less mushy and can have fewer bigger holes, but it surely’s nonetheless scrumptious and fluffy and I’d fortunately make it tonight. Right here is one made with common flour:
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Salt x 2 sorts – I take advantage of common cooking salt (kosher salt) within the dough and reserve the pricier sea salt flakes for on high, as a result of I like that it’s nonetheless seen after baking and the way you get pretty little pops of crunchy salt if you chunk into it. I favor utilizing grains within the dough as a result of it disperses and dissolves higher.
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Fairly heat water – 38-45°C is an efficient temp (100–113°F). Assume, snug tub, although if you wish to make certain, use a thermometer or combine 1/3 cup boiling water and high up with chilly faucet water. 🙂
If the water is just too scorching, you’ll kill the yeast – it begins to die at 55°C / 130°F. If it’s too chilly, the yeast takes longer to activate and rise the dough. Fortunate yeast makes magical issues, else we wouldn’t stand for the fussiness!
The way to make Fast and Soiled Focaccia
This can knock your socks off with how ridiculously simple it’s. I actually didn’t suppose it might work -just one other of my “what if…?” experiments I anticipated to fail (like most do!). I’ve made this 12 (15?) occasions since, and I’m nonetheless amazed! 😅
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Make dough – Utilizing a rubber spatular, combine the flour, salt and on the spot yeast in a big bowl. Make a properly within the centre then pour the water in and blend till you possibly can now not see flour.
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Sticky! – That is the consistency of the dough, it’s like a extremely thick muffin batter. It’s far too moist ands sticky to be kneaded, but it surely must be thick sufficient to mound within the bowl (not unfold like a soup). The unusually excessive hydration is why this recipe works so properly, so please belief the method!
Changes – Goal for the dough consistency you see within the video, adjusting with extra water or extra flour as wanted. Completely different flour manufacturers and even the air humidity can have an effect on water absorption. Extra chatter on this within the FAQ.
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Rise 2 hours – Cowl the bowl and go away it someplace heat till doubled in dimension, about 2 hours. The dough will loosen, unfold out, and appear like a bubbly, jiggly soup.
Rising too quick? Transfer it someplace cooler. Not rising? Discover a hotter spot (see FAQ). In a single day fridge – see FAQ. Shorter rise works, however the crumb is much less chewy and it doesn’t puff as a lot – I’ve examined a 1-hour rise and it’s nonetheless good, simply not as good.
Don’t overproof! If it grows greater than 1.5x, the yeast can run out of steam and the focaccia received’t rise as properly within the oven.
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Put together pan – Flippantly grease a 26.6 x 20 x 5cm (10.5 x 8 x 2″) or 22cm/9″ sq. steel pan with butter. Scrunch up a sheet of baking paper to wrinkle it up then un-scrunch and press into the pan. Be sure to have enough overhang so you possibly can raise the focaccia out whereas scorching (it’s fragile, so for those who invert it flattens a bit – so I discovered 🙂 ).
💡Scrunched paper stays within the corners of pans, muffin holes and so forth higher than flat. Pastry chef trick! And use butter quite than oil for greasing because the paper sticks higher. Lastly, use steel quite than ceramic or glass, for a crispier base!
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Pour – Drizzle some olive oil on the paper. Then use a rubber spatula to scrape the batter into the pan. ⚠️ Don’t combine the batter and deflate the bubbles earlier than scraping into the pan!
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Coax the batter into the corners utilizing two spatulas, and make the floor as whilst you possibly can. There’s no have to be meticulous right here, the dough will fill the pan throughout Rise #2, and the floor will easy out too. PS Did you discover – clear fingers! How good is that!
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Rise #2 – Place a chopping board or heavy tray on high to forestall the floor from drying out. Then put the pan in a really heat place to let it rise for 45 minutes, or till it has risen by 50 – 70%.
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LIGHT oil spreading! Drizzle olive oil throughout the floor of the focaccia. Tub some in your fingertips to forestall it sticking on the dough, then use your fingertips to flippantly unfold the oil throughout the floor with out deflating the dough.
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LIGHT dimpling! Then type your fingers into claw shapes and LIGHTLY press down solely 1cm/0.4″ into the floor of the dough to make focaccia dimples. Should you get too aggressive, like I encourage with conventional focaccia, you’ll deflate the dough!
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Bake 25 minutes – Sprinkle the floor with salt flakes then bake for 25 minutes at 220°C/425°F (200°C fan-forced), rotating the pan on the 15 minute mark till the floor is deep golden and it’s crispy.
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Cool 10 minutes – Elevate the focaccia out of the pan utilizing the paper overhang to switch to a cooling rack, then slide the paper out from beneath. Cool 10 minutes earlier than attacking!
How I serve focaccia
Truthfully, freshly baked focaccia is in a league of its personal. The floor is crisp, it’s generously coated in olive oil, the within is nearly impossibly mushy and tender and it’s properly seasoned. It is without doubt one of the few breads on this world that you simply’ll fortunately eat plain, straight off the tray, with out even a smidge of butter.
However really, the standard method to serve it’s with further virgin olive oil for dipping. That is the time to drag out your good things! The elective swirl of aged balsamic vinegar can be pretty (once more, your good things!).
Serve it anytime of the day as a snack or nibbles with drinks, lower up into smaller items. For a bread basket, I lower it into bigger items.
And naturally, it makes sensible sandwiches and toasties.
All the things you are able to do with bread, focaccia can do higher! 🙂 – Nagi x
Fast and soiled focaccia FAQ
Conventional focaccia is a stiffer dough with a kneadable texture, although really it isn’t kneaded within the conventional sense. Moderately, it makes use of a stretch-and-fold-rotate-and-repeat approach which is a type of kneading.
The crumb has somewhat extra construction and chew as a result of the gluten is labored extra, and the crust is thinner than with this Fast and Soiled model.
However actually? I describe this Fast and Soiled one as 93% pretty much as good, and for the large distinction in effort, I do know I’ll be making this yet another continuously!
I’m sorry, I haven’t tried this with gluten free flour. Almond flour is not going to work sadly!
Leftovers will maintain for 3 to 4 days in an hermetic container although I actually suggest reheating to rejuvenate. 180C/350F for five minutes is all it takes! It will also be frozen for 3 months.
Breads made with out yeast lack the chew, so that they have extra of a muffin-type texture. However I’ve made a yeast-free bread with focaccia vibes utilizing this Lunchbox Pizza Bread. Skip the pizza toppings, use a teaspoon to make “dimples” on the floor, drizzle usually with oil, salt flakes, then bake per that recipe. 🙂
Sure you possibly can, see recipe card notes for instructions. It really works the identical however there’s an additional step to bubble the yeast.
Do no matter you should discover someplace heat and cosy for the yeast to work its magic! Listed here are strategies I take advantage of:
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Close to heaters
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Dryer (this trick is a favourite) – run the dryer for a couple of minutes to warmth it up then put the bowl inside. Works so properly!
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Scorching water dispenser field positioned underneath the sink. It generates warmth, so why not use it!
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On the counter in entrance of the oven (as a result of it blows out heat air)
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Summer time – Straightforward, anyplace close to heat solar coming into the home (however not in direct daylight which is just too robust)
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Scorching water bottles organized across the bowl (in a roundabout way touching too scorching)
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Hand towels soaked in scorching water, squeezed dry, then organize across the bowl (repeat as they cool)
I’ve used the steamer ovens which have dough rising capabilities however I haven’t mastered this but, the dough retains rising too shortly. I believe it’s too robust.
It’s okay! No must freak out, it’s simple to repair. Simply add extra heat water or flour and match my dough consistency within the video.
Even for those who measured precisely utilizing scales, totally different flour manufacturers and even the air humidity can have an effect on water absorption. On very, humid summer season days, typically I add a smidge extra flour to my doughs as a result of they’re too unfastened. On frigid chilly winter days the dough cools so quick it it turns into stiffer and dryer, so appears to want a smidge extra water.
Use 1 tablespoon at a time to regulate and blend it via with the spatula till integrated, then proceed with the recipe as written. This dough is forgiving, it’s completely positive to tweak and alter as wanted.
2 hours is the purpose minimal rising time, so if it’s rising too quick (eg you set it too near the heater 🙋🏻♀️) transfer it additional away to gradual it down. If it’s too gradual, discover a hotter place (see above for sensible options).
An extended rise time works positive. Often for breads, the longer you permit dough to show, the higher the flavour (eg in a single day within the fridge). For this recipe, I didn’t discover a lot distinction, so do in a single day within the fridge for comfort quite than enchancment (see In a single day Fridge FAQ beneath).
Sure, the focaccia recipe works with shorter rise occasions however the shorter the time, the much less chewy the crumb and the much less the focaccia rises. I’ve accomplished a 1 hour rise and the distinction is noticeable, although the focaccia was nonetheless very respectable.
If it’s an actual emergency, you possibly can velocity up the rising time by placing the bowl in a really heat place. Steamer ovens usually have dough rising capabilities which may be insanely quick for dough proving.
As with rise #1, it’s higher to not do it a lot sooner because it the focaccia rises higher within the oven. As with Rise #1, I attempted it sooner (I put it underneath an electrical blanket!) and it solely took 20 minutes to rise by 50%. However the crumb was noticeably much less fluffy than once I let the dough rise for 45 minutes.
As with Rise #1, whether it is rising too quick, simply transfer it to a cooler place to gradual it down or cease the rising utterly, however don’t put it within the oven earlier than the 45 minutes has elapsed!
Usually, in a single day dough rises improves the style, construction and texture of breads, however that’s not a lot the case for this recipe. We thought there was a marginal enchancment in flavour, however that was it – no enchancment in crust, crumb, bubble sizes and so forth.
So do an in a single day fridge rise for comfort quite than enchancment within the focaccia.
To do an in a single day fridge rise, combine the dough within the bowl per the recipe, cowl, then refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours or till it has doubled in dimension. The chilly fridge temperature basically slows down the dough rise that occurs in 2 hours in a heat place.
Scrape right into a pan per the recipe then count on to do Rise #2 for half-hour to 1 hour longer because the chilled dough wants to come back to room temperature earlier than it begins to rise.
With both Rise #1 or Rise #2, for those who go away it too lengthy and it rises an excessive amount of, it received’t rise as properly within the oven.
Consider it this manner – yeast solely has a certain quantity of rising energy. If it makes use of all of it up through the proving stage, there’s not sufficient left for the baking stage!
The primary time I made this was Sunday final weekend, simply 5 days in the past. I believe we’ve made it 15 occasions since! I used to be impressed by a noticeable enhance in focaccia in my social media feeds – it appears to be all the trend nowadays. I saved which means to make my conventional focaccia however lacked the capability to offer it the eye it wanted to make it. It’s not arduous, but it surely’s significantly extra hands-on than this recipe.
So anyway, I puzzled whether or not I might make a decrease effort focaccia utilizing the very fingers off bread making methodology I take advantage of for the No Knead Crusty Artisan Bread. That bread has a chewier, firmer crumb – suppose, sourdough – and thicker crust.
I puzzled if I elevated the hydration to make the dough even wetter and looser, I might make it extra like focaccia – particularly with the assistance of olive oil to make the crust good and crispy.
Amazingly, even the primary try got here out exceptionally properly.
From there, I had the bottom recipe and it got here right down to tweaking the bottom dough recipe. I elevated the yeast by simply 1/8 tsp and felt the bread tasted yeasty. As a result of I added salt flakes on the floor, I diminished the salt within the crumb so it wasn’t overly salty. I attempted pushing the hydration to over 100%, however discovered the focaccia didn’t type sufficient of a crust and didn’t rise sufficient. 93% hydration is the place it maxed out!
Then I performed round with the dimpling approach. I attempted doing the total aggressive jiggly-focaccia dimpling and it simply made the dough collapse. I attempted no dimpling in any respect, and bizarrely it didn’t rise as properly – unsure why, considering perhaps dimpling loosens the pores and skin and permits the bread to rise extra?
Ultimately, I discovered {that a} mild dimpling labored finest. And the very last thing we have been testing was one of the best oven temperature for crispy crust, good color and mushy fluffy insides – growing the temperature in direction of the top versus staying excessive the entire time vs baking at a daily temperature the entire time.
This recipe was largely pushed by me, then JB and I labored collectively to do the quite a few variations we examined earlier than publishing it.
One of many issues about working with a formally educated chef is that he has very refined palette, extra refined than me. So he notices particulars higher than me, like the advance (or not) within the construction of a bread when, say, yeast is tweaked by simply 1/8 teaspoon, and whether or not this focaccia is improved by in a single day rising (barely noticeable). To me, it means I can publish recipes with much more confidence – no second guessing!
And simply usually, it’s so nice having knowledgeable to bounce concepts off. It was JB who, after many variations the place I stepped up the oven temp halfway via baking, calmly recommended simply baking at a barely larger temp for the entire time.
Not solely was it one step much less, but it surely really made the focaccia rise even taller with a greater crust. 😂 I don’t miss the times of working alone with simply Dozer – working with a group is one of the best!
Watch how you can make it
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Fast and soiled focaccia
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook dinner: 25 minutes
Dough proving: 2 hours 45 minutes
Complete: 3 hours 15 minutes
Bread
Italian, Western
Servings1 – 8 folks
Faucet or hover to scale
Stop display screen from sleeping
Directions
ABBREVIATED:
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Combine dry, then combine in water. Rise 2 hrs to double. Drizzle EVOO into pan, pour into pan, rise 45 min by 50%. Oil floor, very flippantly dimple, sprinkle with salt flakes, bake 25 min at 220°C / 45°F (200°C fan).
FULL RECIPE:
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Very sticky dough – Put the flour, yeast and salt in a bowl, combine to mix with a rubber spatula. Make a properly within the centre, pour the nice and cozy water in then combine till you now not see flour. It must be like a thick muffin batter – manner too sticky and unfastened to knead.
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Rise #1 (2 hrs) – Cowl with cling wrap then put in a really heat place to rise for two hours or till doubled in quantity. (Notice 4)
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Line pan – Use a 26.6 x 20 x 5cm (10.5 x 8 x 2″) rectangle pan (steel, not glass or ceramic for crispier base) or a 22cm/9″ sq. pan, Flippantly grease with butter (not oil). Scrunch up a sheet of baking paper, un-scrunch then press into the pan, guaranteeing you have got overhang to raise the focaccia out later. (Notice 5)
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Dough in pan – Drizzle and unfold 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil within the pan on the paper. Pour the dough batter in, then use 2 rubber spatulas to coax the dough out into the corners as finest you possibly can. Do not get too hung up on this, it would fill the pan because it rises.
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Rise #2 (45 min) – Cowl with a reducing board (or related – flat with some weight), then put in a really heat place for 40 minutes or till it rises by 50 – 70% (it is best to see some good huge effervescent on the floor). Midway via, preheat oven.
Bake!
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Preheat the oven to 220°C / 45°F (200°C fan-forced) with the oven rack within the center.
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Drizzle 1 tbsp of olive oil throughout the floor. Rub somewhat oil in your fingertips then use your fingers to unfold the oil flippantly throughout the floor.
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LIGHT dimpling – Use your fingers to LIGHTLY press dimples into the floor of the dough, solely urgent down about 1cm/0.4″ into the dough, not all the way in which down like conventional focaccia else you’ll deflate the dough.
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Salt flakes – Sprinkle all around the floor.
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Bake for 25 minutes, rotating the pan on the 15 minute mark, till the floor is deep golden.
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Cool 10 minutes – Elevate the focaccia out of the pan utilizing the surplus paper onto a cooling rack, the slide the paper out from beneath. Cool for 10 minutes then assault! All the time finest served heat.
Serving / reducing:
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Bread basket – I lower into 4cm / 1.5″ large strips then every into 2 items. Appetiser or to nibble on with drinks – I lower them into smaller items (beneficiant) 2-bite items. In each state of affairs, it is accompanied with a very good further virgin olive oil for dipping, typically with a swirl of aged balsamic vinegar. Additionally makes wonderful cheese toasties and sandwiches!
Recipe Notes:
Nonetheless makes a really respectable focaccia with plain/all-purpose flour however you received’t get the irregular bubbles as a lot and crumb is barely much less tender/fluffy/rise.
2. Prompt yeast can be bought as “Fast rise yeast”, discover it within the baking aisle of normal grocery shops. No must foam in water earlier than utilizing, simply combine into flour!
To make use of Lively dry yeast – In a small heat bowl, combine 1 1/8 tsp lively yeast with 1 1/2 tbsp of the water plus 1/8 tsp white sugar. Combine to mix then put aside 5 minutes till the floor will get foamy (if it doesn’t, yeast is lifeless). Combine flour plus salt, then pour the remaining water and the yeasty water in. Combine and proceed with recipe. Finish result’s no totally different, on the spot yeast simply removes the additional foaming step.
3. Water temp – 38-45°C is an efficient temp (100–113°F). Assume, snug tub, although if you wish to make certain, use a thermometer or combine 1/3 cup boiling water and high up with chilly faucet water.
4. Heat place for dough rising – Do no matter you should discover a cosy surroundings for the dough to rise! I put the bowl subsequent to a heater. Dryer trick can be a favourite – run the dryer for a couple of minutes to warmth it up then put the bowl inside. Works so properly!
Not rising? Transfer it to a hotter place. 🙂 Rising too quick? Transfer it to a colder place to gradual it down, and even cease the rising if it’s already doubled.
DON’T OVER RISE. If it goes properly over double in quantity (eg 1.5x), it received’t rise as properly within the oven as a result of the yeast has used up an excessive amount of of the rising energy throughout this proving stage.
5. Scrunching makes it simpler for the paper to remain in pans. Neat trick I learnt from a chef, particularly helpful when lining muffin tins to make mini pies, tarts and so forth! Use one massive sheet so it holds the oil in, don’t lower and line neatly like when making muffins.
Grease with butter so the paper sticks higher.
Leftovers will maintain for 3 to 4 days in an hermetic container although I actually suggest reheating to rejuvenate. 180C/350F for five minutes is all it takes! It will also be frozen for 3 months.
Lifetime of Dozer
Dozer is taking some cookies into SASH later right now as a thanks for taking such excellent care of him throughout his dental process final Friday.
SASH needed to take further precautions for his common anaesthetic due to the tie-back in his throat and likewise as a result of the next threat affected person resulting from his age and medical situation. SASH particularly organized for the dental to happen when his tie-back surgeon was obtainable so he might take the chance to look inside his throat and ensure all the things was okay, and no person gave me grief or judged me for tenting out in reception the entire time he was there! 🙂
These cute customized cookies are made by Claudia from Monogram Cookies, an area cookie retailer who specialises in making customized cookies. How cute are they!!
